If you’re searching for restaurants in CNN Center Atlanta, you’re really looking at the wider food scene around State Farm Arena, Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, Centennial Olympic Park, and the Georgia World Congress Center. The CNN Center’s interior food court has changed over the years, and some spaces have closed or shifted use, but the area around it is still packed with options.
This guide focuses on where you can realistically eat before or after a game, concert, or tour in the CNN Center / Centennial Park / Downtown Atlanta area.
Here’s a simple overview of common choices within a short walk of CNN Center (1 CNN Center, Atlanta, GA 30303):
| Type of Spot | What You’ll Find Nearby CNN Center | Typical Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Casual sit-down | Southern, sports bars, grills, pizza, burgers | Pre-game meals, group outings |
| Fast-casual / quick bite | Sandwiches, salads, pizza by the slice, coffee, grab‑and‑go | Tight schedule between events |
| Hotel restaurants | Upscale American, Southern, steak, breakfast buffets | Business trips, pre‑convention dinners |
| On‑event‑day concessions | Arena and stadium food (burgers, BBQ, snacks, drinks) | You’re already inside State Farm or MBS |
| Family‑friendly chains | Familiar names around Centennial Olympic Park & Peachtree St | Kids, picky eaters, larger families |
Exact tenants in and around CNN Center can change, so it’s always smart to check hours and current concepts if you’re planning a specific meal.
The CNN Center complex sits on the west side of Centennial Olympic Park, attached to State Farm Arena and across the street from Mercedes‑Benz Stadium and the Georgia World Congress Center.
Over time, the indoor CNN Center food court and shops have shifted as office use and tours have changed. Many people now treat “CNN Center restaurants” as shorthand for:
So when you are in the CNN Center area, it’s better to think of it as the broader Downtown entertainment district.
From the front of CNN Center, you can walk a few minutes and find a cluster of options that work well for events, conventions, or sightseeing days.
This stretch is popular with people visiting:
You’ll commonly find:
Casual grills and sports bars
Ideal for watching pre‑game coverage before heading into State Farm Arena or Mercedes‑Benz Stadium. Expect burgers, wings, sandwiches, and shareable appetizers.
Pizza and Italian‑leaning spots
Good for families and groups wanting something easy to split, quick, and kid‑friendly.
Fast‑casual sandwich and salad places
Handy if you’re in business clothing from a meeting at the Georgia World Congress Center and want a lighter lunch.
This area tends to be busy before big events and on weekends, so arriving 60–90 minutes before a game or show can help you avoid long waits.
Several large hotels within a 5–10 minute walk of CNN Center have full‑service restaurants that many locals and visitors use even if they’re not staying overnight.
Common features include:
These can be especially useful if:
If you’re already inside a venue connected to or across from CNN Center, concessions may be your most convenient option.
Address: 1 State Farm Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303
Inside you’ll usually find:
This is ideal if:
On the other hand, if you want a relaxed sit‑down dinner, it’s better to eat outside the arena before scanning in.
Address: 1 AMB Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Just a short walk from CNN Center via Andrew Young International Blvd NW or the paths around GWCC, the stadium is known for:
For Falcons, United, and major concerts, many Atlanta locals plan to eat either at the stadium or in the blocks between CNN Center and MBS.
If you’re moving between attractions like the Georgia Aquarium and College Football Hall of Fame, or you’re squeezing lunch between conference sessions, you have several realistic options:
Fast‑casual chains along Marietta St NW, Baker St NW, and Luckie St NW
This is where you can typically grab sandwiches, salads, burrito‑style bowls, or flatbreads.
Coffee shops and cafés around Centennial Olympic Park
Useful for a quick breakfast pastry, coffee break, or light snack during a long downtown day.
Grab‑and‑go spots inside some hotels and office lobbies
Often offer pre‑made wraps, snacks, and bottled drinks during weekday daytime hours.
These are your best bets if you:
If you have an hour or more and want a proper meal, the broader Downtown and Centennial Park district offers:
Within walking or a short ride from CNN Center, you can find:
These are especially popular with visitors who want a “taste of Atlanta” near the tourist core without heading into more distant neighborhoods.
Near CNN Center and along Peachtree St NW, you’ll see:
These are go‑to options for:
If you’re in Downtown Atlanta with kids for the day:
Look to Centennial Olympic Park’s edges, Marietta Street, and Baker Street for:
Plan around attraction timing:
Families often prefer:
One advantage of eating near CNN Center is MARTA access and walkability.
If you’re coming from Midtown, Buckhead, or the Airport, you can often:
If you’re staying in a nearby hotel or leaving a late event:
Checking posted hours the day of your visit can save you from walking to a closed door after a concert or overtime game.
Plan around events.
Big concerts, Hawks games, Falcons games, United matches, and conventions can rapidly fill restaurants within a few blocks of CNN Center.
Consider reservations for sit‑down dinners.
Many hotel restaurants and popular spots near Centennial Olympic Park take reservations, which can help on busy weekends.
Build in walking time.
Even when a restaurant looks close on the map, crowds and security lines into venues can stretch your timeline.
Use CNN Center as your landmark, but think of your dining area as:
If you keep those blocks in mind, you’ll have a solid range of restaurants in and around CNN Center Atlanta for everything from quick coffee to full sit‑down dinners before or after your Downtown plans.
